Output apparatus

ABSTRACT

An output apparatus includes: an identifying unit that identifies a direction in which an occupant of a first vehicle is looking; a receiving unit that receives, from a second vehicle positioned in the direction identified by the identifying unit, information indicating whether or not the first vehicle is recognized by the second vehicle; and an output unit that outputs alert information to at least one alerting device among alerting devices attached to the first vehicle and the occupant of the first vehicle if the first vehicle is not recognized by the second vehicle.

The contents of the following patent application are incorporated hereinby reference:

-   -   Japanese Patent Application NO. 2018-064534 filed on Mar. 29,        2018.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an output apparatus.

2. Related Art

A technique to generate presentation information indicating that adriver of a first vehicle is not recognizing a second vehicle if it isdecided that the driver of the first vehicle is not recognizing thesecond vehicle is known (see the following Patent Literature 1 or thelike, for example).

PRIOR ART LITERATURES Patent Literatures

-   [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2015-26255-   [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2015-191583-   [Patent Literature 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2017-126242-   [Patent Literature 4] WO 2015/152304-   [Patent Literature 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2003-141690-   [Patent Literature 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2005-165422

It is desired to be able to know that an occupant is not recognized byanother vehicle in various traffic situations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a utilization environment of an alertsystem in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates the block configuration of a system constituted bythe saddle-ride type vehicle 10, a mobile terminal 260, and a helmet 92.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary navigation screen 300.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a display example of alert informationdisplayed on a visor 194 of the helmet 92.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another display example of alertinformation displayed on the visor 194 of the helmet 92.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flowchart illustrating processesperformed at an output apparatus 100.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an exemplary computer 1000 to functionas the output apparatus 100.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, (some) embodiment(s) of the present invention will bedescribed. The embodiment(s) do(es) not limit the invention according tothe claims, and all the combinations of the features described in theembodiment(s) are not necessarily essential to means provided by aspectsof the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a utilization environment of an alertsystem related to a saddle-ride type vehicle 10. In the presentembodiment, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a motorcycle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a situation where the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 isabout to turn right at a crossroads. A vehicle 12 and a vehicle 14 arevehicles moving in the opposite direction on the oncoming lane as seenfrom the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. A vehicle 16 and a vehicle 18 arevehicles that are stopped before the crossroads on a road crossing theroad where the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is present.

In a situation like the one illustrated in FIG. 1, a driver 90 of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 decides whether or not a driver of thevehicle 12 is recognizing the presence of the saddle-ride type vehicle10 by looking at the face of the driver of the vehicle 12 in some cases.For example, since, if the driver of the vehicle 12 is looking left, thedriver of the vehicle 12 might be not recognizing the presence of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10, the driver 90 can drive the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10 while watching out for the behavior of the vehicle 12.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle 12, vehicle 14, vehicle 16, andvehicle 18 are all vehicles with automated driving functions. Note thatautomated driving is not limited to fully automated driving. Automateddriving means various levels of automated driving other than fullyautomated driving, such as driving assistance or partially automateddriving.

If the vehicle 12 has an automated driving function, that an occupant ofthe vehicle 12 is looking toward the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 doesnot necessarily suggest that the vehicle 12 is recognizing thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10. Accordingly, even if the occupant of thevehicle 12 is looking toward the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, this doesnot necessarily suggest that the vehicle 12 will take an appropriateaction to swerve to avoid the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. On the otherhand, even if the occupant of the vehicle 12 is not looking toward thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10, the driver 90 cannot know whether or notthe vehicle 12 is recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.Accordingly, if vehicles with automated driving functions becomepopular, the driver 90 more occasionally and easily feels anxious aboutwhether or not the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is recognized by othervehicles.

In the present embodiment, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 inquiresvehicles around of whether or not the vehicles around are recognizingthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10. If the saddle-ride type vehicle 10cannot receive recognition information indicating that the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10 is recognized, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 outputsalert information through a display device of the saddle-ride typevehicle 10, or the like. Because of this, the driver 90 of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 can know that there is a vehicle around thatis not recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

Here, the region sandwiched by two lines 102 illustrated in FIG. 1indicates a range of interest of the driver 90 at the crossroads. Therange of interest is within a predetermined angular range including theline-of-sight direction of the driver 90. The angular range may bechangeable depending on situations or settings. Alert information isdisplayed on the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 if there is a vehicle fromwhich it does not receive recognition information, among vehiclespositioned in the range of interest. Thereby, alert information can beoutput only about vehicles in the range over which the driver 90 islooking. Because of this, it is possible suppress display of uselessalert information.

Note that the angular range of the range of interest may be altereddepending on a plurality of factors such as information obtained by acamera mounted on a helmet worn by the driver 90, the state of blinkersof the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, or the direction of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates the block configuration of an alert systemconstituted by the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, a mobile terminal 260,and a helmet 92. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 includes an outputapparatus 100, a display device 240, a camera 280, and a position sensor290. The output apparatus 100 includes an acquiring unit 210, anidentifying unit 200, an output unit 220, and a communication unit 230.The helmet 92 includes a sensor 190, and a display device 196. Thedisplay device 196 includes a projecting unit 192, and a visor 194. Themobile terminal 260 and display device 196 are exemplary alertingdevices attached to the driver 90.

The camera 280 generates captured-image data by capturing an environmentaround the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The camera 280 may be attachedto a front portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The sensor 290includes a sensor to sense the geographic position of the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10 based on GPS information or the like, and adistance-measurement sensor that measures distances to other vehicles.The sensor 190 senses the position and orientation of the helmet 92. Forexample, the sensor 190 is provided at a top portion of the helmet 92,and both left and right-side portions of the helmet 92. The sensor 190is used as a sensor to sense the position and orientation of the headportion of the driver 90. The orientation of the head portion of thedriver 90 can be considered as indicative of the line-of-sight directionof the driver 90. Captured-image data generated by the camera 280,information sensed by the sensor 290, and information sensed by thesensor 190 are supplied to the acquiring unit 210 of the outputapparatus 100. The information acquired by the acquiring unit 210 issupplied to the identifying unit 200.

The identifying unit 200 identifies the direction in which the driver 90is looking. For example, the identifying unit 200 identifies thedirection in which the driver 90 is looking, based on information sensedby the sensor 190. For example, the identifying unit 200 may identifythe direction in which the driver 90 is looking based on informationobtained by a camera attached to the helmet worn by the driver 90 of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 or the camera 280 attached to a frontportion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The communication unit 230receives, from other vehicles positioned in the direction identified bythe identifying unit 200, information indicating whether or not thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 is recognized by those other vehicles. Ifthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not recognized by another vehicle,the output unit 220 outputs alert information to at least one alertingdevice among alerting devices attached to the saddle-ride type vehicle10 and the driver 90 of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

The output unit 220 outputs alert information if the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 is not recognized by a second vehicle which is anothervehicle, and the second vehicle is positioned in a predetermined rangeincluding the direction identified by the identifying unit 200. Thepredetermined range including the direction identified by theidentifying unit 200 may be the range of interest explained withreference to FIG. 1 or the like.

The communication unit 230 requests one or more vehicles positioned inthe predetermined range including the direction identified by theidentifying unit 200 to transmit, to the saddle-ride type vehicle 10,information indicating whether or not the one or more vehicles arerecognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The communication unit 230is an exemplary receiving unit and requesting unit.

Specifically, the communication unit 230 transmits, to other vehicles, arecognition query inquiring the other vehicles of whether or not theyare recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The recognition queryincludes the geographic position of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, andan address of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The communication unit230 may transmit the recognition query by broadcasting. If thecommunication unit 230 receives, from other vehicles, recognitioninformation indicating that the other vehicles are recognizing thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10, the output unit 220 outputs informationindicating that those other vehicles are recognizing the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10. Note that the recognition information includes thegeographic positions of the other vehicles. Thereby, the positions ofthe vehicles recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 can be located.

The output unit 220 may output alert information if the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 is not recognized by the second vehicle, and the secondvehicle is moving in such a direction that the second vehicle approachesthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10. In addition, the output unit 220 mayoutput alert information if the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is notrecognized by the second vehicle, and the second vehicle is positionedat the start of a line of vehicles. Thereby, output of useless alertinformation is suppressed.

The output unit 220 outputs alert information if the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 is not recognized by the second vehicle, and the distancebetween the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 and the second vehicle isshorter than any of the distances between the saddle-ride type vehicle10 and other vehicles excluding the second vehicle. Thereby, alertinformation targeted at the vehicle closest to the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 is output. Thereby, output of alert information withrelatively lower priorities is suppressed.

The alerting device may be at least one of a display device provided onthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 and a display device attached to thedriver 90. Examples of the display device provided on the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10 include the display device 240. The display device 240may be formed by a wind screen and a projecting apparatus, for example.A display device of a navigation apparatus mounted on or built in thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 may be used as the display device 240. Adisplay device in an instrument panel of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10may be used as the display device 240.

Examples of the display device attached to the driver 90 include thedisplay device 196 formed by the projecting unit 192 and visor 194, ahead mounted display attached to the helmet 92 worn by the driver 90,and the like. In this manner, the alerting device may be the displaydevice attached to the helmet 92 worn by the driver 90 of thesaddle-ride type vehicle. The display device attached to the driver 90may be a display device provided on the mobile terminal 260.

If the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not recognized by the secondvehicle, the output unit 220 displays alert information indicating thatthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not recognized by the second vehicle,the information being displayed at a position corresponding to theposition of the second vehicle in at least one of the field of view ofthe driver 90, an image representing a map, and an image obtained bycapturing an environment around the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Theimage obtained by capturing an environment around the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 may be a moving image captured by the camera 280. The movingimage captured by the camera 280 may be displayed on the mobile terminal260, a head mounted display or the like along with alert information.

If the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not recognized by the secondvehicle, the output unit 220 displays alert information in apredetermined color indicating that the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 isnot recognized by the second vehicle, the information being displayed ata position corresponding to the position of the second vehicle in atleast one of the field of view of the driver 90, and an image obtainedby capturing an environment around the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Thepredetermined color indicating that the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 isnot recognized may be red, for example. In addition, if recognitioninformation is received from the second vehicle, the output unit 220 maydisplay alert information in a predetermined color indicating that thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 is recognized by the second vehicle at theposition of the second vehicle. The predetermined color indicating thatthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is recognized may be blue, for example.This makes it easier to make a distinction since display colors ofvehicles are different depending on whether or not they are recognizingthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

Note that if each vehicle has not been able to recognize, by means ofimage recognition, the presence of a vehicle at a geographic positionincluded in a recognition query from the saddle-ride type vehicle 10,the vehicle may transmit, to the saddle-ride type vehicle 10,non-recognition information indicating that it has not been able torecognize the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. The non-recognitioninformation may include the geographic position of each vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary navigation screen 300. The navigationscreen 300 may be a screen displayed on a navigation apparatus mountedon or built in the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, or the mobile terminal260 of the driver 90.

On the navigation screen 300, a mark 310 indicating the geographicposition of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is displayed. On thenavigation screen 300, a mark 312, a mark 314, a mark 316, and a mark318 are displayed at positions corresponding to the geographic positionsof the vehicle 12, vehicle 14, vehicle 16, and vehicle 18, respectively.The geographic positions of the vehicle 12, vehicle 14, vehicle 16, andvehicle 18 may be calculated based on captured-image data obtained bythe camera 280, distance-measurement information sensed by the sensor290, and the geographic position of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Thegeographic positions of the vehicle 12, vehicle 14, vehicle 16, andvehicle 18 may be received directly or indirectly from the individualvehicles through communication.

If the communication unit 230 cannot receive recognition informationfrom the vehicle 12, the output unit 220 displays the mark 312 in red tothereby alert the driver 90, noticing that the vehicle 12 is notrecognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Here, since the vehicle 16and vehicle 18 are not positioned in the region of interest of thedriver 90, the mark 316 and mark 318 are displayed in a normal color,irrespective of whether or not the communication unit 230 receivesrecognition information from the vehicle 16 and vehicle 18. Sincevehicles in a range to which the driver 90 is not paying attention aredisplayed in a normal color, the driver 90 easily understands whether ornot a vehicle to which the driver 90 is paying attention is recognizingthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 at a glance.

If the communication unit 230 receives recognition information from thevehicle 14, the output unit 220 displays the mark 314 in blue. Thereby,the driver 90 can decide whether or not vehicles positioned in a regionof interest are recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Note thatthe above-mentioned normal color is a color different from red and blue.

Note that the vehicle 14 is not a leading vehicle of a line of vehiclesincluding the vehicle 12 and vehicle 14. Because of this, in anothermanner of display, the output unit 220 may display the mark 314 in anormal color irrespective of whether or not the communication unit 230receives recognition information from the vehicle 14.

It is in many cases important to the driver 90 whether or not a leadingvehicle of a line of vehicles is recognizing the saddle-ride typevehicle 10. In addition, following vehicles in a line of vehiclesheading toward the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 are likely not able torecognize the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 since their fields of view areblocked by vehicles in front of them. By the output unit 220 treating avehicle at the start of a line of vehicles as the target of display ofthe recognition state, it is possible to suppress display of anunnecessarily large number of red or blue marks on the navigation screen300.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a display example of alert informationdisplayed on the visor 194 of the helmet 92. The projecting unit 192 canproject information onto a predetermined area 400 of the visor 194.

The projecting unit 192 projects a mark 412 matching the outline of thevehicle 12 in the area 400. The mark 412 is displayed in red so as toindicate that the vehicle 12 is a vehicle not recognizing thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10. The position of the outline of the vehicle12 in the area 400 is calculated based on the geographic position of thevehicle 12, the geographic position of the helmet 92, the orientation ofthe helmet 92, an image-capturing range of the camera 280, and an imagecaptured by the camera 280.

Since the vehicle 16 is not present in the region of interest of thedriver 90, a mark indicating whether or not the vehicle 16 isrecognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not projected onto acoordinate corresponding to the geographic position of the vehicle 16.

Note that, in addition to the vehicle 12, the vehicle 14 is present inthe range of interest of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. If recognitioninformation from the vehicle 14 is received, the output unit 220 maydisplay the red mark 412 and the blue mark, placing one of them on theother.

In addition, the output unit 220 may display a mark in a weightedmixture of red and blue, the weighting being determined according to thenumber of vehicles from which the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 cannotreceive recognition information and the number of vehicles from whichthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 can receive recognition information. Theoutput unit 220 may display a mark in a weighted mixture of red andblue, the weighting being determined according to distances from thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10. In addition, instead of displaying asmarks, the output unit 220 may display the entire area 400 or a partialregion of the area 400 in a mixture of blue and red.

Note that display contents similar to the display example illustrated inFIG. 4 can also be realized by projecting the display contents onto awind screen of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. If the wind screen ofthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is small, it is impossible in some casesto project a mark onto the position of the vehicle 12. Accordingly, thevisibility can be appropriately attained by making projected imagestransparent, and making real objects and marks placed ones of them onthe others. In such a case, a method of displaying a wind screen in amixture of red and blue as in the above-mentioned manner may beemployed.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another display example of alertinformation displayed on the visor 194 of the helmet 92. FIG. 5illustrates a display method in the case where the driver 90 of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10 is not recognizing other vehicles.

The communication unit 230 broadcasts a recognition query includingpositional information indicating the geographic position of thesaddle-ride type vehicle 10. If, in response to the recognition query,recognition information indicating that it is recognized there is avehicle at the geographic position indicated by the positionalinformation included in the recognition query is received from othervehicles, the output unit 220 displays a blue mark 500 at a coordinatein the area 400 of the visor 194 and corresponding to the geographicposition included in the recognition information. Thereby, the driver 90can be notified that another vehicle positioned at a location thatcannot be seen from the driver 90 is recognizing the saddle-ride typevehicle 10. Such a display method is effective in situations that mayoccur on mountain paths, for example, and where oncoming cars are hardto see since there are many curves.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flowchart illustrating processesperformed at the output apparatus 100. The processes of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 6 are executed at timing to collect informationindicating whether or not other vehicles are recognizing the saddle-ridetype vehicle 10. The processes of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6may be executed periodically, or may be executed at timing instructed bythe driver 90.

At S600, the identifying unit 200 identifies the geographic position andorientation of the helmet 92 based on information sensed by the sensor190. At S602, the identifying unit 200 identifies a range of interest ofthe driver 90. For example, a range within a predetermined angular rangefrom the orientation of the helmet 92 may be identified as the range ofinterest.

At S604, the communication unit 230 transmits a recognition query bybroadcasting. The recognition query includes the geographic position ofthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10, and an address of the saddle-ride typevehicle 10.

At S606, the communication unit 230 collects recognition informationtransmitted from other vehicles responding to the broadcasting. At S608,based on the geographic positions of the other vehicles included in therecognition information, the output unit 220 discards recognitioninformation from vehicles outside the range of interest identified atS602.

At S610, treating vehicles in the range of interest identified at S602as targets, the output unit 220 displays vehicles that transmittedrecognition information and vehicles that did not transmit recognitioninformation in blue and red, respectively. Manners of display that canbe applied include the manners of display that are explained withreference to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, or the like.

In the examples explained above, mainly, alert information is displayed,treating vehicles in the range of interest identified based on the lineof sight of the driver 90 as targets. The size of the range of interestmay be a size that can include a plurality of vehicles, but may be asize that includes only a particular vehicle designated by the driver90. If a range of interest with a size including only a particularvehicle is used, the identifying unit 200 may identify, as the range ofinterest, a range covered by a single vehicle positioned in theline-of-sight direction of the driver 90. By turning the face to aparticular vehicle, the driver 90 can select the vehicle as a singlevehicle in the range of interest. In this case, if recognitioninformation could be received from the single vehicle, display in bluemay be performed, and if recognition information could not be received,display in red may be performed. With this manner of control, the driver90 can check whether each vehicle is recognizing the saddle-ride typevehicle 10 vehicle-by-vehicle, selecting each one of vehicles. Inaddition, since it is possible to check whether or not each vehicle isrecognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 vehicle-by-vehicle, alertinformation can be displayed on a small display device. For example, alamp provided in an instrument panel of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10or the like can display alert information.

In the explanation above, it is supposed that all the vehicle 12,vehicle 14, vehicle 16, and vehicle 18 are vehicles with automateddriving functions, for the purpose of explaining one embodiment of theinvention in an easy-to-understand manner. Recognition information isnot transmitted from vehicles without automated driving functions. Inaddition, if a vehicle does not have a function to respond to arecognition query although it has an automated driving function, such avehicle does not transmit recognition information. The output apparatus100 may treat a vehicle that does not transmit recognition informationas a vehicle not recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, anddisplay an alert in red.

In addition, as explained above, by a recognition query beingtransmitted by broadcasting, and a plurality of vehicles transmittingrecognition information including their respective geographic positions,the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 can locate the positions of vehiclesrecognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. In another method by whichthe position of a vehicle recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 islocated, a communication method that involves directionality may be usedto transmit a recognition query, limiting targets to those in aparticular region of interest. For example, the communication unit 230may transmit a recognition query by communication using directionallight or electromagnetic waves. In this case, vehicles that can sendback recognition information are limited to vehicles in a region ofinterest. Because of this, even if a geographic position is not includedin recognition information from each vehicle, the output apparatus 100can decide a vehicle positioned in the region of interest is recognizingthe saddle-ride type vehicle 10. Accordingly, if recognition informationcould not be received, an alert displayed in red can alert the driver90. In addition, if there is a plurality of vehicles in the region ofinterest, and one or more pieces of recognition information arereceived, the output unit 220 may display the number of received piecesof recognition information. Thereby, the driver 90 can surmise whetheror not there is a vehicle not recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle10.

As explained above, alert information may be output as colors, figuressuch as marks, characters such as numbers that are displayed on a windscreen, a display device or the like. Alert information may be not onlydisplayed, but also output as sounds.

In addition, at least some processes of the processes explained abovecan be applied not only to situations at crossroads, mountain paths, orthe like, but also to various traffic situations. For example, they canbe applied to situations where an alert is issued to notice that avehicle that the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is about to pass on afreeway or the like is not recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10,or where a vehicle that is about to pass the saddle-ride type vehicle 10is not recognizing the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

Note that the saddle-ride type vehicle may be any type of vehicle ingeneral that occupants ride astride when they travel with it. Thesaddle-ride type vehicle may not only be a two wheel vehicle such as amotorcycle or a motorized bicycle, but also be a three wheel vehiclesuch as a trike, or a four wheel vehicle. The three wheel vehicle may bea front single-wheel, and rear double-wheel vehicle or a frontdouble-wheel, and rear single-wheel vehicle. Note that the two wheelvehicle may be a scooter type two wheel vehicle having one or more floorsteps at a front portion thereof.

In addition, at least some processes of the above-mentioned processescan be applied to vehicles other than saddle-ride type vehicles. Forexample, a four-wheeled car may broadcast a recognition query fromitself, and the presence of other vehicles from which the four-wheelvehicles cannot receive recognition information can be displayed on anavigation screen like the one illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an exemplary computer 1000 to functionas the output apparatus 100. The computer 1000 according to the presentembodiment includes: a CPU peripheral unit having a CPU 1010, a RAM1030, and a graphics controller 1085 that are interconnected by a hostcontroller 1092; and an input/output unit having a ROM 1020, acommunication I/F 1040, a hard disk drive 1050, and an input/output chip1080 that are connected to the host controller 1092 by an input/outputcontroller 1094.

The CPU 1010 performs operations based on programs stored on the ROM1020 and RAM 1030, and performs control of each unit. The graphicscontroller 1085 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1010 or thelike on a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1030, and displays the imagedata on a display. Instead of this, the graphics controller 1085 mayinclude therein a frame buffer to store image data generated by the CPU1010 or the like.

The communication I/F 1040 communicates with another device via anetwork through a wired or wireless connection. In addition, thecommunication I/F 1040 functions as hardware to perform communication.The hard disk drive 1050 stores programs and data to be used by the CPU1010.

The ROM 1020 stores a boot-program to be executed by the computer 1000at the time of activation and programs or the like that depend onhardware of the computer 1000. The input/output chip 1080 connectsvarious types of input/output devices to the input/output controller1094 via, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port,a mouse port, and the like.

Programs to be provided on the hard disk drive 1050 via the RAM 1030 areprovided by a user in the form stored on a recording medium such as anIC card. The programs are read out from the recording medium, installedon the hard disk drive 1050 via the RAM 1030, and executed at the CPU1010.

The programs that are installed on the computer 1000, and make thecomputer 1000 function as the output apparatus 100 may act on the CPU1010 or the like to make the computer 1000 function as each unit of theoutput apparatus 100. Information processing described in these programsare read in by the computer 1000 to thereby make the computer 1000function as the acquiring unit 210, identifying unit 200, communicationunit 230, and output unit 220, which are specific means attained bycooperation between software and various types of hardware resourcesmentioned above. With these specific means, the unique output apparatus100 corresponding to a purpose of use of the computer 1000 in thepresent embodiment can be constructed by realizing operations on orprocessing of information corresponding to the purpose of use.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, thetechnical scope of the invention is not limited to the above describedembodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that variousalterations and improvements can be added to the above-describedembodiments. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that theembodiments added with such alterations or improvements can be includedin the technical scope of the invention.

The operations, procedures, steps, and stages of each process performedby an apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims,embodiments, or diagrams can be performed in any order as long as theorder is not indicated by “prior to,” “before,” or the like and as longas the output from a previous process is not used in a later process.Even if the process flow is described using phrases such as “first” or“next” in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams, it does not necessarilymean that the process must be performed in this order.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   10: saddle-ride type vehicle;-   12: vehicle;-   14: vehicle;-   16: vehicle;-   18: vehicle;-   90: driver;-   100: output apparatus;-   102: line;-   92: helmet;-   100: output apparatus;-   190: sensor;-   192: projecting unit;-   194: visor;-   196: display device;-   200: identifying unit;-   220: output unit;-   230: communication unit;-   240: display device;-   260: mobile terminal;-   280: camera;-   300: navigation screen;-   310: mark;-   312: mark;-   314: mark;-   316: mark;-   318: mark;-   400: area;-   412: mark;-   500: mark;-   1000: computer;-   1010: CPU;-   1020: ROM;-   1030: RAM;-   1040: communication I/F;-   1050: hard disk drive;-   1080: input/output chip;-   1085: graphics controller;-   1092: host controller;-   1094: input/output controller

What is claimed is:
 1. An output apparatus comprising: an identifyingunit that identifies a direction in which an occupant of a first vehicleis looking; a receiving unit that receives, from a second vehicleidentified by the identifying unit, information indicating whether ornot the first vehicle is recognized by the second vehicle; and an outputunit that outputs alert information to at least one alerting deviceamong alerting devices attached to the first vehicle and the occupant ifthe first vehicle is not recognized by the second vehicle.
 2. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs thealert information if the first vehicle is not recognized by the secondvehicle, and the second vehicle is positioned in a predetermined rangeincluding the direction identified by the identifying unit.
 3. Theoutput apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a requestingunit that requests one or more vehicles positioned in the predeterminedrange including the direction identified by the identifying unit totransmit, to the first vehicle, information indicating whether or notthe one or more vehicles are recognizing the first vehicle.
 4. Theoutput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputsthe alert information if the first vehicle is not recognized by thesecond vehicle, and the second vehicle is moving in such a directionthat the second vehicle approaches the first vehicle.
 5. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein even if the first vehicle is notrecognized by the second vehicle, the output unit does not output thealert information provided that the second vehicle is not moving in sucha direction that the second vehicles approaches the first vehicle. 6.The output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unitoutputs the alert information if the first vehicle is not recognized bythe second vehicle, and the second vehicle is positioned at a start of aline of vehicles.
 7. The output apparatus according to claim 1, whereineven if the first vehicle is not recognized by the second vehicle, theoutput unit does not output the alert information provided that thesecond vehicle is not positioned at a start of a line of vehicles. 8.The output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unitoutputs the alert information if the first vehicle is not recognized bythe second vehicle, and a distance between the first vehicle and thesecond vehicle is shorter than any of distances between the firstvehicle and other vehicles excluding the second vehicle.
 9. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein even if the first vehicle is notrecognized by the second vehicle, the output unit does not output thealert information provided that a distance between the first vehicle andthe second vehicle is longer than any of distances between the firstvehicle and other vehicles excluding the second vehicle.
 10. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one alerting deviceis at least one of a display device provided on the first vehicle and adisplay device attached to the occupant, and if the first vehicle is notrecognized by the second vehicle, the output unit displays informationindicating that the first vehicle is not recognized by the secondvehicle, the information being displayed at a position corresponding toa position of the second vehicle in at least one of a field of view ofthe occupant, an image representing a map, and an image obtained bycapturing an environment around the first vehicle.
 11. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the first vehicle is notrecognized by the second vehicle, the output unit displays informationin a predetermined color indicating that the first vehicle is notrecognized, the predetermined color being displayed at a position of thesecond vehicle in at least one of a field of view of the occupant, andan image obtained by capturing an environment around the first vehicle.12. The output apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the alertingdevice is a display device attached to the occupant.
 13. The outputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first vehicle is asaddle-ride type vehicle.
 14. The output apparatus according to claim13, wherein the alerting device is a display device attached to a helmetworn by the occupant of the saddle-ride type vehicle.
 15. The outputapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the identifying unit identifiesthe direction in which the occupant is looking based on informationobtained by a camera attached to a helmet worn by the occupant of thesaddle-ride type vehicle or to a front portion of the saddle-ride typevehicle.